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Council authorizes $257,900 water master plan contract after staff flags Vansal Reservoir issues
Summary
Council approved a $257,900 task order to GHD for the Fortuna Water System Master Plan, including an $83,690 supplemental budget request; staff said the Vansal Reservoir (built in the late 1950s/early 1960s) has structural and leakage concerns and currently operates below 50% capacity, prompting a comprehensive review of retrofit or replacement options.
Public works staff recommended awarding a task order to GHD under existing on-call professional services contracts to prepare a citywide water system master plan. Staff said proposals exceeded the budgeted amount and recommended a supplemental appropriation of $83,690 to achieve a total contract value of $257,900 (including contingency). Four independent reviewers selected GHD as the preferred firm based on technical fit and pricing.
Staff highlighted specific concerns at the Vansal Reservoir (described as constructed in the late 1950s or early 1960s), including failing redwood structural members in the roof and walls, leak history and chronic underuse (operating below ~50% capacity) that have left the city unable to retain intended residual volumes. Staff said the master plan would evaluate options including significant retrofits, complete replacement with a steel tank, or other alternatives; the council approved the supplemental budget and task order by unanimous vote.
